I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when reading Virginia Heffernan’s op-ed piece (“What am I to do about the Trump fans next door?” Feb. 23) in which she overanalyzed how to accept the simple kindness of having her driveway plowed, expertly and for free, by neighbors who just happened to be Trump supporters. Like many Trump-haters, she agonized over what to do, fearing that if she went overboard with gratitude they would somehow feel absolved of their evil deed of having voted for Donald Trump. Not too long ago, I predicted that the hatred many felt for Trump would spill over onto anyone who voted for him, and it appears I was right. Heffernan needs to be less transactional about accepting kindness from Trump supporters, because they voted the way they did, not to support a man but to support noble ideas and values which he just happened to champion. Most of them will vote for the next person who embraces those same values.
Not that conservatives don’t have good reason to be cynical and skeptical about President Joe Biden’s programs and policies. His nomination of Merrick Garland as attorney general actually makes me glad that the Republican-led Senate failed to hold hearings on his nomination to the Supreme Court in 2016. Here was a man who aggressively prosecuted the perpetrators of the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, now saying that the attack on the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., didn’t qualify as “domestic terrorism” because most of it took place at night after business hours. One might conclude, then, that if the Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol, which nearly all of us soundly condemn, had taken place when Congress wasn’t in session it would somehow have been a lesser offense. Such specious reasoning has no place on the Supreme Court, and frankly calls into question Garland’s fitness to be the nation’s chief law enforcement official. Of course, given a lack of even-handedness in selecting which laws to enforce and which freedoms to protect, many of us are pessimistic.
WILLIAM A. WITTIK
Hartford
With the overwhelming votes for a new Selectboard member and “no” on Article 2, Haverhill voters sent a clear message of “no confidence,” demanding major changes and better town leadership. While I support the concept of unifying our road crews and fire departments, these initiatives have been implemented so poorly that our town became deeply divided.
Now we have a new opportunity, and I ask newly elected Selectboard member Mike Graham to embrace his campaign message of healing and unity. To Darwin Clogston, thank you for your service; with some self-reflection you can, hopefully, come back stronger. To the returning board members, we are counting on you to do better, starting with finding a way to hold an open Town Meeting to discuss and vote on the town budget and warrant articles.
To our town manager, Brigitte Codling, I appreciate your hard work and talents, but leadership is first and foremost about how you treat people. The citizens of Haverhill demand more trust, transparency and teamwork, and I believe you can change to benefit yourself and our town. But, if you are unwilling to make that commitment, I respectfully request that you resign.
To the people of Haverhill, thank you for demonstrating the power of democracy — what Winston Churchill famously called the worst form of government except for all the others. Yes, it can be pretty messy sometimes. And, sadly, we live in times when many people are quick to use social media to disparage others. While we may disagree about politics, everyone is entitled to dignity and respect. Let’s all do our part to treat each other better.
I also want to give a shout out to our moderator, Jay Holden, the supervisors of the checklist, town clerk and other election officials. A bedrock of democracy is people stepping up to manage the election process, and you did so with grace and dignity.
Despite our problems and challenges, Haverhill has many outstanding qualities and wonderful people. By working together, we can create a better future for our children and future generations.
DOUGLASS TESCHNER
Pike
Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate a $54 million purchase of Oshkosh Truck Corp. stock just 20 hours before Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced his decision to award that company a $6 billion, 10-year contract to produce a fleet of mostly gasoline-powered trucks U.S. Postal Service.
In addition to the appearance of insider trading, what’s the USPS doing ordering 10 years’ worth of gasoline-powered vehicles when the Biden administration has announced plans to replace the government’s vehicle fleet with electric vehicles?
Is this enough to remove DeJoy? Please give us our USPS back!
And will Congress please take up this issue of insider trading? We can bring both Republicans and Democrats to the table on this. We pay them to govern, and they can’t even govern themselves.
ANNE PEYTON
South Strafford
The Republican Party is old — 167 years old to be exact. And it is a party, sort of. In the last election, and now, it is a party without a platform. No real positions, but much to say in opposition to Democrats. Its purpose, if not its platform, would now appear to be to weaken the voting rights of those of color. How interesting: a party without a platform, but it works to make sure it is difficult for minorities to vote.
It is a grand old party to many white males, especially southerners. It is also a grand party to those who see Donald Trump as the voice and leader of the GOP. The past election was honest and fair. But 147 House members — Republicans all — questioned the results. Further, few in the GOP voted to impeach the former president for his overt role in encouraging far-right groups to march on the Capitol to attempt overthrow the results of the election.
The mayhem that followed, and deaths of five people, did not alter the opinion of party leaders, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who condemned the event, blamed President Trump for his actions, but then assured all he would vote for Trump if he were nominated in 2024. A call to officials, such as the Georgia secretary of state, by the president asking if they would “find” him the necessary votes so he could win their state brought little condemnation from Republicans.
The GOP got together to vote for a large tax cut for the rich in 2018, but not one Republican could support the recently passed COVID-19 relief package of Democratic President Joe Biden. That bill, of course, will help low-income and working-class citizens and is a significant benefit to them — but not one Republican voted for it.
While there are good people everywhere who are Republicans, it is sad to say that this party — ironically the party of Abraham Lincoln — is morally bankrupt and not grand.
SANDERS STEPHEN
Braintree, Vt.